International film finance: China

BEIJING -- For people from outside looking to get in, China is not big on production incentives, but it is a dynamic market not without charm, and a lot of the country's most talented filmmakers are starting to come out from underground into the mainstream.

For Western filmmakers willing to use a lot of Sino elements, as seen in the recent Roger Spottiswoode pic "The Children of Huang Shi," which was in many ways a Chinese movie shot with relatively little foreign input, it can work out very well.

The pluses are there: China remains a cheap production venue with skilled crews.

While it still lags in post-production, and getting around the rules can be a problem, shooting here has its allure.

"The fundamental incentive for market growth will always come from the market itself. And the strong growth rate in the domestic market is the biggest incentive for investment in 'market- oriented' films," says Cindy Lin of Infotainment China.

She says contempo Chinese helmers are entering the mainstream, but this has to be matched by maturity in terms of technique and also in understanding auds while not being afraid of chasing box office.

The best structure for most features is a co-production with a foreign company to ensure overseas distribution channels and cost effectiveness.

News source: International film finance: China (Variety Asia Online)

News tag: film finance China market

Related titles: Children of Huang Shi (2008) The Warlords (2007) Assembly (2007)

Related persons: Roger SPOTTISWOODE